San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-09-05
A Dangerous Game.
BY THE AUTHOR OF MYDEAREsr HEART"

and confined my consideration, as suggested,
| 10 the tempting dishes brought me by the
grave servant with surreptitiOus glances at
Mr.. Gascoigne and the details of the apart
ment.
There were some choice flowers I'm the
large epergne in the center of the table, ar
ranged without any skill or taste, and |
| noticed In recess by the fire small high
backed piano. But the room nevertheless
did not look as though it had a mistress.
Afterwards learned that those flowers had
been ordered from the dollhouse in my hon
or, and that the piano had been tuned the
first time for many years because of my
coming.
liked the look of this room better than
the brightness of the elegant drawing-room
downstairs. Its half light and big fireplace,
its low ceiling and heavy curtains, seemed
warm and friendly; the glittering dinner
plate was cheerful, the atmosphere comfort
ably heated and pleasant with the scent Of
the flowers. OF Mr.. GaScoigne my chances
taught me little more than the FIRST look had
done, for the long table and the flowers di-
vided us. When dinner was over, he moved,
by the aid of his stick into the deep arm
chair by the hearth, and addressed me once
more
Now, Miss Thone, kindly come little
nearer, and let me have a look at my new
secretary"
went TO him, and he regarded me critic
ally.
Yes" he said, 81 think you will do; but
it's an eXperiment-an experiment. You
are the first young lady have had in that
capacity, and 1t is possible we may not suit
each other. But think perhaps we shall"
What he saw in me to bring him to this
decision cannot tell.
81 will try my best TO please you," | re-
piled, for his gaze was not unkindly, IL keen,
and the words had a complimentary ring
about them quite foreign to their literal i'm
port.
"You can sit down in that chair opposite
me; | am aware you have had journey.
Now what do you think of the Granger
81 think it is the most beautiful house |
ever saw" 1 said. IL saw 1t shining in the
moonlight as | came down the road, and
thought it almost too beautiful to be real"
"Well, | dare say you have discovered
that inside there are two parts to the house.
DO you prefer mine or my nieces'T'
yours" l answered at once.
"WhyP'
Because it is more in keeping with the
Outside-partly, too, because it is acompete
change from anything l have seen before"
"And you have never seen such beauti-
full house?-"Never."
"And you think you can make up your
mind to live in it; that is, SO far as the place
itself goes%'
1T would be delight simply to be in
house like this, l think" was my answer.
Perhaps | spoke rather enthusiastically,
for In truth was charmed with the Grange
do you mean what you have saidr' he
asked, looking across at me suddenly.
The dry keen tone came like cold breeze
on my rising ardOr.
81 always mean what say" answered
quietly.
"And always say what you thinkP'
81 did not add that. There is a great diff
ference"
"How sop
at might not always be either kind or
wise to say exactly what one thought"
Then what would you say il you couldn't
speak your thoughts and would not say what
you did not meanT
Nothing"
The old gentleman chuckled.
Bravo, Miss ThOrne! You'll do. l be.
gin to see We shall suit each other. You
think you could keep secret If circum-
stances demanded-if some one asked you
to do so, for instance?"
II am sure could, if i thought it was
right"
''Ah, that is a condition! If the secret
were interesting to communicate, perhaps
you would not think it right-eh"'
II hope my view of right and wrong
would not be decided in any such way"
81 hope not. 1t is possible you may have
one or two secrets to keep in this house,
but will promise you, on my part, they
shall not be wrongful. As for others, why,
you are not bound to mind them, you know.
Now do you think you could sing me song,
or are you tired?'
81 am not tired now" answered.
but perhaps you have cold or want
your music?"
mo, have no cold, and can remember
few songs without music. | will sing, II
you care to hear me, Mr.. Gascoigne."
ut was in the bond, was 1t nOt?" retOrted
Mr.. GascOlgne. "DO you know any old
Scotch ballads-anything by Burns or
HOggT'
| Opened the antique instrument backed
with faded red silk that was gathered to
central rOsette, and began John Anderson
my JO." The keys were yellow and the
compass was small but the tone of the old
piano was sweet and soft; and, If | was a
little tired and nervous, l tried to sing the
sad sweet old song as best | could. When
it was ended, Mr.. GascOigne made no re-
mark, but sat silently watching me, as If he
expected | should simply go on until fur
Their orders. So struck the notes with
frmer hand and tried Bonnie Prince Char.
lie," with Its ringing refrain
Charlie, Charlie wha wadna follow thee2
King o. the High and hearts, bonnie Prince
Charlie"
Yes" said the old man, as once more l
paused-'yes, words like those dare say my
great grandmother sang Her son was one OF
Prince Charles followers; you can see his
picture there on the wall, with the plaid of
his clan about him. Tho Gascoignes had
more pedigree than money then; but he was
as loyal and brave as the best of them. Miss
ThOrne," he broke off sharply and briskly,
twill you please push up that chess-table
from the windOw?-and, il you have no OBJ
lection, we will have game"
CHAPTER III.
did as l was told, and sat opposite to
Mr.. GascOigne at the spindle-legged chequer-
topped table. 1t was about nine o'clock
then, and we played for an hour and half,
while our conversation was limited entirely
to the technicalities of the game | soon
learned that Mr.. GascOgne did not approve
of word being spoken to interrupt the pro-